Elliot Anderson at centre of Hearts and Hibs transfer 'battle' as rivals join TWELVE clubs chasing Newcastle starlet

Hibs have joined rivals Hearts in the loan race for Newcastle United’s Scotland Under-21 striker Elliot Anderson with up to TWELVE clubs chasing his signature.

Eddie Howe has still to decide what his plan is for the Toon teenager but the Jambos have previously been linked with a move for the 19-year-old and now the Edinburgh Evening News report Lee Johnson is also in the hunt.

However, they say a dozen sides are in for Anderson. The kid scored in a training game against Burnley in Lisbon at the weekend as he continues to impress. The attacker also travelled to Austria as part of Howe’s squad for a pre-season training camp but the Newcastle boss has a decision to make on whether to send him out on loan. And if he does then the Edinburgh clubs face stiff competition from West Bromwich Albion, Bristol City, Luton Town, Millwall, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers – where he was on loan last season – all said to in the hunt.

Newcastle United fans have already nicknamed the attacker, who can play wide or as a No. 10, the ‘Geordie Maradona’. Howe said recently of Anderson’s situation: "Nothing’s clear at this point. He’s in and around the group. He’s not looking out of place. In that company, that’s saying something. We’ll do what’s best for us and Elliot. When I say us I mean the team and the club. If we feel he’ll play minutes, we’ll keep him. If he won’t play and contribute, we’ll loan him."

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